Information display system

ABSTRACT

An information display system including an input device that inputs a scheduled event, a schedule storage in which the schedule is stored, a display device that displays a map, a memory that stores map information and the scheduled event, and a controller that displays a schedule reminder message on the map at a specified time before the scheduled event is to occur.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of Invention

[0002] This invention relates to an information display system.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] There are conventional navigation apparatuses for a vehicle, suchas an automobile, wherein an optimum route from a user-selecteddeparture point to a user-selected destination is searched based on roadmap data and the searched route is displayed on a display screen.

[0005] Further, there is provided a conventional navigation apparatus,wherein once a destination and a trip date are selected and registeredby an operator, e.g., a driver or passenger of the vehicle, a route tothe destination is automatically searched on that date and the searchedroute is automatically displayed on a display screen. Here, thedestination may be, for example, a resort, a sightseeing spot, or anyother intended destination; the trip date may be, for example, anupcoming day off. Once the operator designates the day off as the tripdate, a route to the registered destination is automatically searched onthat day off and the searched route is displayed on the display screen.

[0006] Thus, the conventional navigation apparatus can only notify theoperator of an optimal route to a scheduled destination on the exactdate of the trip. Thereby, on the date of the scheduled trip, theoperator can check the route to the destination.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Disadvantageously, the conventional navigation apparatus isfunctionally limited. The route to the destination is displayed to theoperator only when the date of the scheduled trip comes. This limitationdeprives the operator of the opportunity to confirm his or her schedulebefore the date of the trip.

[0008] Further to this disadvantage, sometimes there is a case where theoperator completely forgets his or her upcoming scheduled trip that hasalready been registered. For example, take a case where the operator isscheduled to have a Sunday drive to a resort in one month but hascompletely forgotten the schedule. In this case, even if a particularresort and date of a one-month-ahead Sunday are already registered asthe destination and the date of the schedule, respectively, a route tothat resort is not displayed on the display screen until theone-month-ahead Sunday comes. That is, the operator cannot check his orher schedule for the one-month-ahead Sunday until he or she turns on hisor her navigation apparatus and views the display screen on exactly thatone-month-ahead Sunday.

[0009] Further disadvantageously, the conventional navigation apparatuscannot support a rough schedule that has no specific date, for example,“Pay a bill from my bank account sometime within the next week” or “Senda parcel from the post office within one week from today.” Since such arough schedule has a certain range in date, the operator isinconvenienced because he or she must input a specific date rather thanthe rough schedule into the conventional navigation apparatus.

[0010] For solving the previously-described problems, the inventionprovides an information display system. The information display systemcan remind the operator of his or her previously scheduled trips whenhis or her vehicle is close to a specified location within a period ofthat previously-scheduled trip. It is the object of the invention thatthe information display system gives the operator a schedule remindermessage and reminds the operator of his or her previously-scheduled tripbefore the date of that previously-scheduled trip arrives.

[0011] An information display system according to the invention includesan input device that inputs a scheduled event, a schedule storage inwhich the schedule is stored, a display device that displays a map, amemory that stores map information and the scheduled event, and acontroller that displays a schedule reminder message on the map at aspecified time before the scheduled event is to occur.

[0012] With the previously-described composition, the informationdisplay system can notify the operator at a specified time that aschedule has been registered in connection with a certain position shownon the map.

[0013] Furthermore, a method for displaying a schedule according to theinvention includes inputting the schedule including a schedule locationand a schedule time, displaying a location on a map, and communicating areminder message on the map at a specified reminder time before theschedule time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Various embodiments of the invention will be described withreference to the drawings wherein:

[0015]FIG. 1 shows a conceptual drawing of compositions of aninformation display system according to a first embodiment of theinvention.

[0016]FIG. 2 shows a process of file classification carried out by a PIMprocessing unit according to the first embodiment of the invention.

[0017]FIG. 3 shows a first exemplary screen view displayed on aninformation terminal according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0018]FIG. 4 shows a second exemplary screen view displayed on theinformation terminal according to the first embodiment of the invention.

[0019]FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process of the file classificationcarried out by the PIM processing unit according to the first embodimentof the invention.

[0020]FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process of information displayaccording to the first embodiment of the invention.

[0021]FIG. 7 shows a first exemplary screen view displayed on theinformation terminal according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0022]FIG. 8 shows a second exemplary screen view displayed on theinformation terminal according to the second embodiment of theinvention.

[0023]FIG. 9 shows a third exemplary screen view displayed on theinformation terminal according to the second embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024]FIG. 1 shows a conceptual drawing of compositions of theinformation display system according to a first embodiment of thepresent invention.

[0025] In FIG. 1, an information source server 11 is constructed in acomputer comprising processing means, such as a CPU or a MPU; storagemeans, such as a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, or an opticaldisk; and a communication interface. The server is not limited to asingle computer but may be part of a decentralized computer network ornetworks in which plural computers are systematically connected oneafter the other. Further, together with the information source server11, other systems may be included within the computer or computers.Additionally, the information source server 11 may be a part of a systemthat is constructed in a remote computer.

[0026] An information terminal 12 a and an information terminal 12 b areoperated as a first information terminal and a second informationterminal, respectively. Actually in the information display systemaccording to the first embodiment, a plurality of information terminalsmay be used and operated at a time. However, for convenience ofexplanation, the description here takes a case where only two terminals,i.e., information terminal 12 a and 12 b, are used in the informationdisplay system. The operator may be, for example, a driver or passengerof a vehicle, such as an automobile, a truck, a bus, or a motorcycle,and further may be a pedestrian, a user of public transportation, or anyother person.

[0027] Either information terminal 12 a, 12 b comprises: a mainprocessing device, such as a CPU or an MPU; a storage device, such as asemiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, and/or an optical disk; a displaydevice, such as a liquid crystal display, a LED (Light Emitting Diode)display, and/or a CRT; an input means, such as a keyboard, a joystick, across-shaped key, a push-button, a remote control, and/or atouch-sensitive panel; a display control device, by which the displaydevice is controlled; and a transmit-receive unit, such as acommunication interface.

[0028] Either information terminal 12 a, 12 b primarily takes the formof a navigation apparatus provided for a vehicle, such as an automobile,a truck, a bus, and a motorcycle. Further, each information terminal 12a, 12 b may be, but is not limited to, a stationary telephone, aportable telephone, a personal handy phone (which uses PHS: PersonalHandy-Phone System), a portable information terminal, a PDA (PersonalDigital Assistant), a personal computer, a game machine, or a digitaltelevision.

[0029] Moreover, either information terminal 12 a, 12 b may include apresent position detection device (not shown). If either informationterminal 12 a, 12 b is, for example, a navigation apparatus thatincludes the present position detection device, the present position ofthe vehicle can be detected by using a GPS (Global Positioning System),a terrestrial magnetism sensor, a distance sensor, a steering sensor, abeacon sensor, and/or a gyro sensor. If either information terminal 12a, 12 b is, for example, a portable telephone or a portable informationterminal, the position of a base station for the portable telephone orthe portable information terminal is detected as a present position bymeans of the present position detection device. For portable telephones,portable information terminals, or the like, the detection is based oncommunication between the present position detection device and the basestation that covers an area where the portable telephone or the portableinformation terminal exists. Furthermore, such a portable telephone orportable information terminal may be equipped with a GPS receiver.

[0030] Under the foregoing composition, the information source server 11is connected to the information terminals 12 a, 12 b via a network 27.Based on this connection, the communication between the informationsource server 11 and the information terminals 12 a, 12 b is achieved.The network 27 may be a wired or wireless public switched network, adedicated communication network, a portable telephone network, theInternet, an intranet, a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide AreaNetwork), a satellite communication network, any other possiblecommunication networks, or a certain combined network comprised of thevarious networks. Further, the information source server 11 maycommunicate with the information terminals 12 a, 12 b via a CS(Communication Satellite), BS (Broadcasting Satellite), ground wavedigital television broadcasting, FM (Frequency Modulation) multiplexbroadcasting, or may be communicated via an optical beacon or a radiowave beacon placed along roads.

[0031] Therefore, the information display system according to the firstembodiment is mainly made up of the information source server 11, andthe information terminals 12 a, 12 b. In order to use the informationdisplay system, each operator must possess an ID number and beregistered with the information display system. Not only the operatorbut also each of the information terminals 12 a, 12 b must be registeredwith the system.

[0032] The information source server 11 comprises an informationprovision unit 13, from which information about a route to a destinationand other various information are sent back to either terminal 12 a, 12b after information about a departure point and a destination isreceived from either information terminal 12 a, 12 b; a transmit-receiveunit 14, with which each information terminal 12 a, 12 b exchangesinformation; a terminal information storage 15, in which the exchangedinformation is independently stored for each information terminal 12 a,12 b; and a terminal specifying unit 16, by which each informationterminal 12 a, 12 b are specified based on the ID number.

[0033] The information provision unit 13 includes a map database 17,serving as a map information storage, a POI (Point of Interest) database18; a road database 19; a traffic information database 20, serving as atraffic information storage; and a PIM (Personal Information Manage)database 21, serving as a schedule storage.

[0034] The map database 17 stores map information used for drawing amap. The map information includes, for example, nodes, links,coordinates, and facility names. The POI database 18 stores facilitydata, telephone number-address data, event data, and the like, all ofwhich are used for retrieving a point, such as a departure point, adestination point, or a pass-through point. The road database 19 storesdata for searching a route. Specifically such data includes, forexample, road search cost (here, “cost” means a weight given to dataused in searching a road) and a road type.

[0035] Additionally, if the present system is used in combination with atraffic information communication system called VICS(R), the trafficinformation database 20 can store traffic information about trafficcongestion and traffic regulations. Such traffic information is preparedbased on information collected by traffic regulatory systems that thepolice or the Japan Highway Traffic Corporation controls. Furthermore,it is desirable that the traffic information database 20 store eventschedule information about a site or a date of a scheduled event such asa festival, a parade, or a fireworks display. In addition, it isdesirable that the traffic information database 20 store statisticalcongestion information, for example, information indicating that roadsaround a railway station or a commercial facility are congested everyday during a certain period of time except a weekend or roads around asea resort during a summer vacation are congested. Moreover, it isdesirable that the traffic information database 20 store meteorologicalinformation, such as a weather forecast originally made by, for example,the Meteorological Agency, or a similar source.

[0036] The PIM database 21 contains personal files for respectiveoperators. Each personal file includes attribute files (a schedule file,a calendar file, an address book file, a telephone directory file, aregistered point list file, a memo file, and the like). Each attributefile stores an operator's personal information in the form of a schedulelist, a calendar, an address book, a telephone directory, a registeredpoint list, and/or a memo. Although the personal file is generallyprepared for every one of the operators who have already been registeredin the system, it may be prepared on an information terminal basis or onan ID number basis if one operator possesses a plurality of ID numbers.

[0037] The information source server 11 has storage means for the mapdatabase 17, the POI database 18, the road database 19, the trafficinformation database 20, and the PIM database 21. The storage means maybe either an internal storage medium or an external storage medium. Themedium may be any one of the following: a magnetic tape, a magneticdisk, a magnetic drum, a CD-ROM, a MD (Mini Disk), a DVD-ROM, a DVD-RAM,an optical disk, a MO (magneto-optical) disk, an IC card, an opticalcard, a stick memory, a memory card, or any other storage media.

[0038] In addition to the databases, the information provision unit 13includes a map-drawing unit 22, by which a map is drawn based on the mapinformation; a POI retrieval unit 23, by which positional information,for example, coordinates, an address, or a name of a registered location(as a destination), is retrieved based on the information stored in thePOI database 18; and a route search unit 24, by which a route from apresent position of the vehicle or operator to a destination is searchedbased on information stored in the road database 19 or based oninformation stored in the traffic information database 20.

[0039] Furthermore, the information provision unit 13 includes a PIMprocessing unit 25, by which the operator's schedule list, calendar,address book, telephone directory, registered point list, memo, and thelike are prepared and updated based on the information sent from theinformation terminals 12 a, 12 b. The PIM processing unit 25 alsoextracts information from the schedule list, calendar, address book,telephone directory, registered point list, memo, and the like stored inthe PIM database 21. In addition, the information provision unit 13includes a send-out information organizing unit 26 by which informationto be sent out to the terminals 12 a, 12 b is organized and edited.

[0040] Moreover, the information provision unit 13 includes adestination-setting unit, an estimated arrival time calculating unit,and a comparing unit (these are not shown). Additionally, theinformation provision unit 13 stores several programs such as a PIMprogram and a route search program. According to the first embodiment,the PIM program manages a schedule list, a calendar, an address book, atelephone directory, a registered point list, a memo, and the like, allof which are useable in the portable information terminals, PDAs, andpersonal computers.

[0041] If the positional information (a destination, a pass-throughpoint, or a registered point) is registered in the schedule list, theaddress book, the telephone directory, the registered point list, or thememo, a destination is selected by means of the destination-settingunit. The estimated arrival time calculating unit calculates theestimated arrival time at which the user reaches the destination basedon the information about the route searched by the route search unit 24.For example, the estimated arrival time is calculated based on thedeparture time and the sum of the time required for traveling each roadsegment that leads to the destination. The estimated arrival time may berecalculated and updated at specified time intervals. In some cases, therecalculation and update may take into consideration the latest trafficcongestion information as well as the latest traffic regulatoryinformation, both of which are stored in the traffic informationdatabase 20. After the recalculation of the estimated arrival time, thecomparing unit starts to compare the recalculated estimated arrival timewith the operator's desired arrival time.

[0042] Either information terminal 12 a, 12 b may include atransmit-receive unit and a display control device (not shown), wherebythe information inputted in the schedule list, calendar, address book,telephone directory, registered point list, memo, and other informationare transmitted or received to or from the information source server 11.In either information terminal 12 a, 12 b, both the calendar and the maptransmitted from the information source server 11 are displayed on thedisplay device by means of the display control device. Further, thedisplay control device displays a present position, a destination, and afacility located around the present position onto the calendar and themap. At the same time, it is desirable that the following information isalso displayed on the calendar and the map: the desired arrival time,the estimated arrival time, the destination name, the destinationaddress, the facility data, the telephone number and address data, theevent data, road traffic information, the event schedule information,the statistical traffic congestion information, the meteorologicalinformation, and the like.

[0043] According to the first embodiment, the information source server11 having, for example, the map database 17, the PIM database 21, theroute search unit 24, and the PIM processing unit 25 works as the mainpart of the information display system. In response to a request fromeither information terminal 12 a, 12 b, the information source server 11carries out the route search, as well as a preparation, update, or editof the schedule list, calendar, address book, telephone directory,registered point list, memo, and the like. The results of the routesearch, as well as the preparation, update, or edit may be transmittedback to either information terminal 12 a, 12 b. Since the informationsource server 11 works as the main part of the information displaysystem in this exemplary case, a compositional simplification and adownsizing of the information terminals 12 a, 12 b may be achieved,thereby lowering manufacturing costs of the information terminals 12 a,12 b.

[0044] Likewise, for economical reasons, instead of the informationsource server 11, the information terminals 12 a, 12 b may include themap database 17 and the route search unit 24 in order to carry out theroute search. In such a case, either information terminal12 a, 12 bwould work as the main part of the information display system. Thisleads to a compositional simplification of the information source server11 and contributes to the reduction of running costs of the informationdisplay system.

[0045] Further, in other circumstances, instead of the informationsource server 11, the information terminals 12 a, 12 b may include thePOI database 18, the road database 19, the traffic information database20, the PIM database 21, the POI retrieval unit 23, the PIM processingunit 25, the destination-setting unit, the estimated arrival timecalculating unit, and the comparing unit.

[0046] Next, the operations of the information display system accordingto the first embodiment will be described.

[0047] For simplicity of explanation, the description takes a case wherethe information source server 11 comprises the map database 17, the POIdatabase 18, the traffic information database 20, the PIM database 21,the route search unit 24, and the PIM processing unit 25. The routesearch as well as the preparation, update, or edit of the schedule list,calendar, address book, telephone directory, registered point list,memo, and the like, are carried out by the information source server 11and then the results are transmitted back to information terminal 12 bin response to the request from the information terminal 12 a.

[0048] Suppose that information terminal 12 a is a portable telephone ora telephone for PHS (Personal Handy phone System), information terminal12 b is a navigation apparatus aboard a vehicle, and the informationterminals 12 a, 12 b are both operated by one operator.

[0049] The operations of the information display system will bedescribed with reference to the following figures. FIG. 2 shows aprocess of file classification carried out by a PIM processing unitaccording to the first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3 shows a firstexemplary screen view displayed on an information terminal according toa first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4 shows a second exemplaryscreen view displayed on the information terminal according to the firstembodiment of the invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process ofthe file classification carried out by the PIM processing unit accordingto the first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showinga process of information display according to the first embodiment ofthe invention.

[0050] According to the first embodiment, first the information terminal12 a is operated to input the operator's personal information. For thisexample, the operator's personal information comprises schedules to beinputted into a schedule list, the calendar, the address book, thetelephone directory, the registered point list, the memo, and the like.The operator inputs the schedules for a next month including, forexample, work activities, study activities, hobbies, a drive, a trip,recreational activities, sports, dining, or sightseeing. These schedulesare defined so that a site, a destination, or a location of a facilityis associated with a specified time period. For example, the site andthe specified time period are associated with each other in the scheduleas follows: “Build Mr. XX's house by the end of the next month,” “Go tothe library and borrow some books within a few days,” “Visit XX officewithin this month,” “Go to a pharmacy and buy medicine sometime thisweek,” “Pay a bill from my bank account within the next week,” or “Senda parcel from the post office within one week from today.”

[0051] For inputting schedules, first the PIM program, stored ininformation terminal 12 a, is started. With the start of the PIMprogram, a schedule input view is displayed on the display device in theinformation terminal 12 a.

[0052] If the PIM program is not stored in the information terminal 12a, the information terminal 12 a will access the information sourceserver 11 via the network 27. Upon accessing the information sourceserver 11, the PIM program stored in the information source server 11 isstarted and the schedule input view is obtained and displayed on thedisplay device in the information terminal 12 a.

[0053] Then, the schedule is inputted on the schedule input view. Theschedule input view has some dialog boxes to input or specify a timeperiod of the schedule, a location of the schedule, a description of theschedule, and a memo about the schedule. For the schedule input, it ispreferable that a Japanese-syllable input palette be displayed on theschedule input view. In this case, said period, location, description ormemo can be inputted on a syllable-by-syllable basis from theJapanese-syllable input palette. Further, it is preferable that analphanumeric input palette be displayed for the input of telephonenumbers or addresses. In this case, the telephone number or the addressmay be inputted on an alphanumeric basis.

[0054] Furthermore, there is another alternative way of inputting theschedule when the PIM processing unit 25 in the information sourceserver 11 has a keyword-extracting function. The keyword-extractingfunction is such that keywords associated with the period of theschedule or the location of the schedule are extracted from sentenceswritten by a natural language. In this case, the schedule input view hasa single dialog box to input the sentences such as a memo or a noteincluding the time period or the location. When the sentences written bynatural language are inputted into the single dialog box, the PIMprocessing unit 25 starts to extract the keywords associated with thetime period of the schedule or the location of the schedule from thosesentences. Thereafter, the PIM processing unit 25 automaticallyallocates the extracted keyword, such as the time period of the scheduleor the location of the schedule to each corresponding dialog box. Wheninputting the schedule into the dialogue box, the time period of theschedule does not have to be defined by both a date and a time. It mayalso be defined by either a date or a time. Likewise, the location ofthe schedule may not have to be defined by an accurate address orprecise positional coordinates. Furthermore, it is possible to skip thedescription of the schedule and/or the memo about the schedule.

[0055] After the schedule input is finished, the information terminal 12a is operated to transmit the inputted schedule to the informationsource server 11 via the network 27. In the information source server11, the transmit-receive unit 14 receives the schedule from theinformation terminal 12 a. The terminal specifying unit 16 extracts theID number from that transmitted schedule to specify the personal file,corresponding to the information terminal 12 a, stored in the PIMdatabase 21. The personal file is prepared corresponding to eachoperator so that the ID number can specify the operator.

[0056] In addition to the ID number, the time period of the schedule,the location of the schedule, the description of the schedule, and/orthe memo about the schedule are extracted from the schedule transmittedfrom the information terminal 12 a by means of the PIM processing unit25. Upon this extraction, the PIM processing unit 25 accesses the POIretrieval unit 23 to obtain the positional coordinates of the locationof the schedule. After the acquisition of the positional coordinates,the PIM processing unit 25 accesses the personal file specified by theterminal specifying unit 16, that is stored in the PIM database 21.Then, the extracted information, such as, the time period of theschedule, the position of the schedule, the description of the schedule,and/or the memo about the schedule, is stored into the specifiedpersonal file. In that specified personal file, according to the firstembodiment, the location of the schedule (including positionalcoordinates), the description of the schedule, and/or the memo about theschedule are registered in association with the time period of theschedule. Thus, the schedule inputted by the operator can be registeredin the personal file stored in the PIM database 21.

[0057] In this connection, hereinafter the operations of the PIMprocessing unit 25 will be described in detail.

[0058] When the personal information (schedule) is inputted, the PIMprocessing unit 25 starts to store the inputted personal informationinto the personal file that corresponds to the operator and is stored inthe PIM database 21. In this process, at first the PIM processing unit25 determines whether the inputted personal information is defined by adate and time. If the personal information is defined by a date andtime, it is recognized that the inputted personal information has anattribute of a schedule. If the personal information is not defined by adate and time, then the PIM processing unit 25 determines whether theinputted personal information is defined by a location. If the personalinformation is defined by a location, it is recognized that the inputtedpersonal information has an attribute of a registered location. If thepersonal information is not defined by a location, it is recognized thatthe inputted personal information has an attribute of a memo.

[0059] The relationship between the inputted personal information andthe attributes is illustrated in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, o tells “Defined,” xtells “Not defined,” and - tells “Not affecting the attribute.” Forexample, take the top row of FIG. 2. This row shows that the inputtedpersonal information is defined by only a memo and not defined by alocation as well as a date and time. In such case, it is determined thatthe inputted personal information has an attribute of a memo as shown inFIG. 2. Next, take the middle row of FIG. 2. This middle row shows thatthe inputted personal information is defined by a location and notdefined by a date and time. In such case, it is determined that theinputted personal information has an attribute of a registered locationas shown in FIG. 2. Further, take the bottom row of FIG. 2. The bottomrow shows that the inputted personal information is only defined by adate and time. In such case, it is determined that the inputted personalinformation has an attribute of a schedule as in FIG. 2.

[0060] After the determination of the attribute, the PIM processing unit25 accesses the personal file that is stored in the PIM database 21 andspecified by the terminal-specifying unit 16. Then, the personalinformation is stored into that specified personal file. In detail, thepersonal information having the attribute of a memo is stored into thememo file, the personal information having the attribute of a registeredlocation is stored into the registered location file, and the personalinformation having the attribute of schedule is stored into the schedulefile. When the personal information is defined by the location of theschedule, the PIM processing unit 25 accesses the POI retrieval unit 23to obtain the positional coordinates of that location. Thus, thepersonal information inputted by the operator can be classified intothree categories: a memo, a registered location, and a schedule. Theclassified information is registered in its corresponding attribute filecontained in the personal file. This personal file stored in the PIMdatabase 21 is prepared for each operator. Once the personal informationis inputted, the operator can confirm his or her schedule at any time heor she likes.

[0061] The next description centers on operations of confirming theoperator's schedule for one month by operating the information terminal12 b.

[0062] In order to confirm this schedule, first, the operator transmitsa request for the schedule from the information terminal 12 b to theinformation source server 11 via the network 27. The transmit-receiveunit 14 receives that request from the information terminal 12 b. Uponthe receipt of the request, the terminal specifying unit 16 extracts theID number from the transmitted request in order to specify the personalfile, stored in the PIM database 21, that corresponds to the terminal 12b. Again, the personal file is prepared corresponding to each operatorso that the ID number may specify each operator.

[0063] Subsequently, the PIM processing unit 25 extracts the personalinformation for one month from the schedule file contained in thespecified personal file. The extracted information undergoes datatransformation through the send-out information-organizing unit 26 andthen is transmitted from the transmit-receive unit 14 to the informationterminal 12 b. If the PIM program is not stored in the informationterminal 12 b, the PIM program is sent out in addition to thedata-transformed extracted information to the information terminal 12 b.

[0064] Upon the receipt of the data-transformed personal information,the display control device in the information terminal 12 b allows thedisplay device to display the data-transformed personal information ontoa schedule panel 30 as shown in FIG. 3. On the schedule panel 30, acalendar 34 showing September 2001 is displayed. The schedule panel 30includes present date and time 31 (year/month/day/hour/minute), lastupdate date and time 32 (year/month/day/hour/minute) when the schedulewas last updated, and a calendar month (month/year) 33.

[0065] Further, a date icon 35 displayed within each date rectangle inthe calendar 34 indicates that a location of a schedule has already beenregistered in connection with its related date. A memo icon 36 displayedwithin each date rectangle indicates that a memo about a schedule hasalready been registered in connection with its related date. Each daterectangle is surrounded by a cursor 37 so that the date rectangle may behighlighted in a bold line. A period indicator 38 shows a time period ofa schedule related to a period-registered location icon 42 (describedlater). The period indicator 38 can take various forms. For example, itmay be a frame that surrounds the date rectangles of all dates within acertain period of the schedule, a bar stretched across the daterectangles of all dates within a certain period of the schedule as shownin FIG. 3, or color applied to the date rectangles of all dates within acertain period of the schedule.

[0066] In addition to the schedule panel 30, a map panel 40 is displayedon the display device by means of the display control device in theinformation terminal 12 b, as shown in FIG. 3. Here, as one example ofthe first embodiment, a map 41 depicting an area around the presentposition of the information terminal 12 b is displayed on the map panel40. On the map panel 40, a present position icon 43 shows the presentposition of the information terminal 12 b, and the period-registeredlocation icon 42 shows the period-registered location that is registeredin connection with a time period of the schedule. It is desirable that adestination, for example, a pass-through point, a registered locationwhere the operator frequently visits, a facility such as a post officeor a restaurant, or a landmark also be displayed on the map 41.

[0067] In the first embodiment, the period-registered location icon 42that is located within a specified range with reference to the presentposition of the information terminal 12 b is displayed on the map 41.Such specified range, for example, covers over an N-kilometer radius ofthe present position of the information terminal 12 b. The value of N ischangeable. The operator can confirm any period-registered location asfar as it exists within the range defined by N.

[0068] In confirming the period-registered locations, any registeredpoints inputted from the schedule input view or any arbitrary points onthe map may serve as the present position of the information terminal 12b. Therefore, the operator could confirm the icon 42 located within thearea with reference to an inputted registered point or an arbitrarypoint on the map. That is, in substitution for the present position anypoints may be optionally selected, and thereby the period-registeredlocations within the area with reference to such any points may beinformed to the operator.

[0069] Hereinafter, the description assumes that the informationterminal 12 b is the present position and the radius N is 0.5kilometers. In this case, the period-registered location icon 42,located within a 500-meter radius of the present position of theinformation terminal 12 b, is displayed on the map 41.

[0070] The period-registered location icon 42 is displayed on the map 41at the same time the period indicator 38 is displayed on the calendar 34as shown in FIG. 3. In FIG. 3, the period indicator 38 shows the timeperiod of the schedule in connection with the period-registered locationicon 42. That is, the operator is scheduled to visit the locationindicated by the period-registered location icon 42 somewhere during thetime period shown by the period indicator 38. However, theperiod-registered location icon 42 is not displayed on the map 41 evenwhen the period-registered location exists within the 500-meter radiusof the present position if the date indicated by the present date andtime 31 has not yet not come within the time period indicated by theperiod indicator 38.

[0071] In other words, the period-registered location icon 42, remindingthe operator of the schedule, is not displayed on the map 41 unless thedate indicated by the present date and time 31 comes within the timeperiod indicated by the period indicator 38.

[0072] Furthermore, when the period-registered location icon 42, thatreminds the operator of the schedule, is displayed on the map 41, thereappears an optional button 44 to determine whether to visit theperiod-registered location. The optional button 44 comprises a “Yes”button 44 a and a “No” button 44 b. The operator can determine whetherto visit the period-registered location by clicking the cursor 37 oneither the “Yes” button 44 a or the “No” button 44 b. Alternatively, theoptional button 44 may take the form of a single button. In this case,when the cursor 37 is clicked on the button 44, it is determined thatthe operator would like to visit the period-registered location.

[0073] When the cursor 37 is placed on the optional button 44 andclicked to determine to visit the period-registered location, thedetermination result is transmitted from the information terminal 12 bto the information source server 11. In response to the determinationresult, the route search unit 24 starts to search a route from thepresent position shown by the present position icon 43 to the registeredlocation shown by the period-registered location icon 42. The searchedroute is transmitted from the transmit-receive unit 14 in theinformation source server 11 to the information terminal 12 b, and as aresult, route guidance on that searched route is started. This routeguidance may be visually given to the operator through the display ofthe searched route on the map 41, or alternatively given audibly.

[0074] When the cursor 37 is clicked on the “No” button 44 b, todetermine not to visit the period-registered location, no route searchis carried out, and therefore no route guidance is given to theoperator.

[0075] The cursor 37 is moved around the screen with the operation ofthe input device provided in the information terminal 12 b. The cursor37 moves upward, downward, rightward, or leftward to the desired daterectangle with the operation of, for example, a joystick or across-shaped key. Alternatively, the cursor 37 may be moved to a desireddate rectangle by inputting numerals that represent the desired date. Ifthe display device takes the form of a touch-sensitive panel, the cursor37 is moved at the touch of the date rectangle. In FIG. 3, the cursor 37is placed on the date of September 24 as indicated by the present dateand time 31.

[0076] If the cursor 37 is moved upwards beyond the top row of thecalendar 34, the calendar 34 scrolls to the previous month (August). Onthe contrary, if the cursor 37 is moved downward beyond the bottom rowof the calendar 34, the calendar 34 scrolls to the next month (October).

[0077] The description hereinafter centers on operations of displaying aschedule screen 50 on the schedule panel 30. When the cursor 37 isclicked on any one of the date rectangles specified by the periodindicator 38 (for example, any date from September 24 to September 28 asshown in FIG. 3), the display control device in the information terminal12 b allows the schedule screen 50 as shown in FIG. 4 come up on theschedule panel 30. The schedule screen 50 details the schedule for oneof the dates specified by the period indicator 38.

[0078] It is desirable that the schedule panel 30 and the map panel 40be simultaneously displayed vertically or horizontally side by side onthe display device. However, if the size of the display device is small,the schedule panel 30 and the map panel 40 may be separately displayedfrom one another. In other circumstances, the map panel 40 is closed andthe schedule panel 30 is displayed alone.

[0079] The schedule screen 50 has a reminder-timing box 51 as shown inFIG. 4. This box 51 tells the operator whether the time to visually oraudibly remind him or her of the schedule has already come within thetime period of the schedule. Further, the schedule screen 50 includes: aschedule date and time box 52, in which the period of the schedule isshown; a location name box 53, in which a name of the location of theschedule is shown; a memo box 54, in which the description of theschedule is shown; an address box 55, in which an address at thelocation of the schedule is shown; a telephone number box 56, in which atelephone number to be referred to is shown; an input date box 57, inwhich the date when the schedule is inputted is shown; a sender name box58, in which a name of a sender is shown if the schedule is sent bysomeone from outside to the operator (this will be describedhereinafter); and a send date box 59, in which the date when theschedule is sent from outside to the operator is shown.

[0080] Thus, from the schedule screen 50, the operator can make sure ofthe details of his or her schedule that have already been inputted andregistered.

[0081] Next, the description centers on operations of editing theregistered schedule.

[0082] According to the first embodiment, the operator may edit theregistered schedules. To edit a schedule, first, the schedule input viewis displayed onto the display device in the information terminal 12 a.Then, the operator selects the schedule to be edited and that scheduleis displayed on the schedule input view. On the schedule input view, theschedule can be changed or erased, or a new item can be added. Theediting is carried out in the same way as the schedule is newlyinputted. For example, the operator may revise the date and time of theschedule, the location of the schedule, or the memo about the schedulein each dialog box. Additionally, if the personal information (schedule)has been inputted in the form of natural language sentences, theoperator may revise such sentences so as to change his or her schedule.

[0083] After editing, the edited schedule is transmitted from theinformation terminal 12 a to the information source server 11 via thenetwork 27. The transmit-receive unit 14 receives the edited schedulefrom the information terminal 12 a. The terminal specifying unit 16operates in the same manner as if a new schedule were inputted. Thereby,the personal file, that corresponds to the information terminal 12 a andis stored in the PIM database 21 is specified. Subsequently, the PIMprocessing unit 25 selects and accesses said specified personal filefrom the personal files stored in the PIM database 21. Then, the editedschedule is stored into that selected personal file.

[0084] Thus, the schedule, having already been registered, is edited ina similar manner as a new schedule is inputted. Therefore, editing theregistered schedule is an easy operation for the operator.

[0085] According to the first embodiment, the map 41 may be swiftlydrawn and displayed on the display device in the information terminal 12b if the information terminal 12 b stores the map information in itsstorage device and includes a map-drawing unit 22. By contrast, when theinformation terminal 12 b neither stores the map information norincludes the map-drawing unit 22, a request for drawing the map 41 istransmitted together with data about the location of the schedule fromthe information terminal 12 b to the information source server 11 viathe network 27. Upon receipt of such request and the data about thelocation of the schedule, the map-drawing unit 22 in the informationsource server 11 accesses the map database 17 in order to draw the map41 that shows the period-registered location icon 42, the presentposition icon 43, and the optional button 44. Then, the drawn map 41 isdata-transformed through the send-out information-organizing unit 26.The transformed map is transmitted from the transmit-receive unit 14 tothe information terminal 12 b and displayed onto the display device inthe information terminal 12 b.

[0086] Alternatively, the map 41 may be drawn at the moment when theschedule inputted by the operator is registered in the personal file. Inthis case, the PIM processing unit 25 extracts the location of theschedule from the inputted schedule and transmits the extracted locationto the map-drawing unit 22 in order that the map 41, covering theextracted location, may be drawn. After it is drawn, the map 41 isstored with the location and the date of the schedule, into theoperator's personal file in the PIM database 21 by means of the PIMprocessing unit 25. In this case, when the schedule is transmitted fromthe information source server 11 to the information terminal 12 b inanswer to the request from the information terminal 12 b, the map 41 maybe transmitted together with that schedule to the terminal 12 b.Thereby, the map 41 covering the registered location of the schedule isswiftly displayed onto the map panel 40 even if the information terminal12 b has neither the map-drawing unit 22 nor the map information.

[0087] Additionally, facilities around the location of the schedule maybe retrieved and displayed on the map 41. Usually, when a type of thefacility related to the schedule is inputted, those type of facilitiesaround the location of the schedule are retrieved. For example, when theinformation terminal 12 b includes the POI retrieval unit 23 and has POIinformation stored in its storage means, the facilities around thelocation of the schedule may be retrieved and displayed onto the displaydevice in the information terminal 12 b.

[0088] By contrast, when the information terminal 12 b neither includesthe POI retrieval unit 23 nor has POI information stored in its storagemeans, a request for the retrieval of the facility is transmittedtogether with data about the location of the schedule from theinformation terminal 12 b to the information source server 11 via thenetwork 27. Upon receipt of the request and the data about the locationof the schedule, the POI retrieval unit 23 in the information sourceserver 11 accesses the POI database 18 to retrieve the facility aroundthe location of the schedule. Then, the retrieved facility isdata-transformed through the send-out information-organizing unit 26.The data-transformed facility that is transmitted from thetransmit-receive unit 14 to the information terminal 12 b and displayedon the display device in the information terminal 12 b.

[0089] Alternatively, the facility may be retrieved at the moment whenthe schedule, inputted by the operator, is registered in the personalfile. In this case, the PIM processing unit 25 extracts the location ofthe schedule from the inputted schedule and transmits it to the POIretrieval unit 23 in order that the facilities around the location ofthe schedule may be retrieved. After being retrieved, such retrievedfacilities are stored by means of the PIM processing unit 25, inconnection with the location and the date of the schedule, into theoperator's personal file in the PIM database 21.

[0090] In this case, when the schedule is transmitted from theinformation source server 11 to the information terminal 12 b inresponse to a request from the information terminal 12 b, the retrievedfacility may be transmitted together with that schedule to theinformation terminal 12 b. Thereby, the facility around the location ofthe schedule may be swiftly displayed onto the map panel 40 even if theinformation terminal 12 b has neither the POI retrieval unit 23 nor thePOI information.

[0091] Further, a route to the location of the schedule may be searchedand displayed onto the map 41. Such route is generally searched based onboth a location of the schedule and an operator's house respectivelyregarded as a destination and a departure point. However, instead ofthese general points, as needed, any points can be designated as thedestination or as the departure point. When the information terminal 12b includes the route search unit 24 and the road information in itsstorage means, the information terminal 12 b may search a route to thelocation of the schedule and display the searched route onto the displaydevice.

[0092] By contrast, when the information terminal 12 b includes neitherthe route search unit 24 nor the road information, a request for theroute search is transmitted together with the data about the location ofthe schedule from the information terminal 12 b to the informationsource server 11 over the network 27. Upon receipt of the request andthe data about the location of the schedule, the route search unit 24accesses the road database 19 to search a route to the location ofschedule. Then, the searched route is data-transformed through thesend-out information-organizing unit 26. The data-transformed route istransmitted from the transmit-receive unit 14 to the informationterminal 12 b and then displayed on the display device in theinformation terminal 12 b.

[0093] Furthermore, the route may be searched at the moment when theschedule inputted by the operator is registered in the personal file. Inthis case, the PIM processing unit 25 extracts the location of theschedule from the inputted schedule and transmits it to the route searchunit 24 in order that a route to the location of the schedule may besearched. After being searched, the searched route is stored, by meansof the PIM processing unit 25, in connection with the location and thedate of the schedule into the operator's personal file in the PIMdatabase 21. In this case, when the schedule is transmitted from theinformation source server 11 to the information terminal 12 b in answerto the request from the information terminal 12 b, the searched routemay be transmitted together with that schedule to the informationterminal 12 b. Thereby, the route to the location of the schedule may beswiftly displayed onto the map 41 by means of the information terminal12 b even if the information terminal 12 b has neither the route searchunit 24 nor the road information.

[0094] In searching a route, not only the road database 19 but also thetraffic information database 20 may be accessed by the route search unit24 in order to refer to the traffic information such as the congestioninformation or the traffic regulatory information stored in the database20. In this case, the route search unit 24 may search a route allowingfor the traffic congestion that is predicted based on the accumulatedstatistical congestion information or scheduled event information.

[0095] For example, assume the vehicle follows a road around a railstation or a mega commercial facility and it is statistically confirmedthat the road is congested everyday except a weekend during a certaintime period, such as in the evening. In this case, the route search unit24 might search a route that excludes the congested road from the searchresults. In addition, the route search unit 24 might search the route sothat roads around a scheduled event site of a festival, a parade, or afireworks display could be excluded from the search results, allowingfor the predicted traffic congestion around such event site.

[0096] Furthermore, the route search unit 24 may search a route based onthe meteorological information, such as a weather forecast, that isstored in the traffic information database 20. For example, when heavyrain is predicted, the route search unit 24 might perform the routesearch so that a mountain route on which weather related accidentsfrequently occur could be excluded from the search results.

[0097] Further, there is still another way of searching a route in acase where the information terminal 12 b includes the route search unit24 as well as includes the traffic information such as the trafficregulation or the traffic congestion, the accumulated statisticalcongestion information, the scheduled event information, and/or themeteorological information stored in its storage means. In this case,without transmitting a request for a route search to the informationsource server 11, the terminal 12 b alone can search a route byreferring to said traffic information, statistical congestioninformation, scheduled event information, and/or meteorologicalinformation.

[0098] In this connection, when the operator designates a date by thecursor 37, the information terminal 12 b displays onto the displaydevice the map 41 covering the registered location related to thedesignated date. At the same time, the traffic information, thestatistical congestion information, the scheduled event information,and/or the meteorological information, each of which is related to thatdesignated date can be superimposed along the road on the map 41.

[0099] For this superimposition, the following operations are required.First, the information terminal 12 b transmits a request for the trafficinformation, the statistical congestion information, the scheduled eventinformation, or the meteorological information, together with the dataabout the registered location, to the information source server 11. Uponthe receipt of the request and the data about the registered location,the route search unit 24 in the information source server 11 accessesthe traffic information database 20 and predicts the occurrence of thetraffic congestion or the traffic regulation around the registeredlocation. This prediction is based on the accumulated statisticalcongestion information as to the roads around the registered locationand the scheduled event information. In detail, the occurrence of thetraffic congestion or the traffic regulation is predicted allowing forthe day, season, or time of the schedule. Then, such prediction abouttraffic congestion or the traffic regulation is data-transformed throughthe send-out information-organizing unit 26. The transformed predictedinformation is transmitted from the transmit-receive unit 14 to theinformation terminal 12 b and then displayed on the display device inthe information terminal 12 b.

[0100] In this regard, it is possible to store the predicted trafficinformation into the operator's personal file in the PIM database 21 ina manner that the registered location and the designated date areassociated with the predicted traffic information.

[0101] Further, in the aforesaid case where the traffic information suchas the traffic congestion information, the traffic regulationinformation, the accumulated statistical congestion information, or thescheduled event information is stored in the storage device in theinformation terminal 12 b, the information terminal 12 b alone maypredict the traffic information without transmitting the request for itto the information source server 11.

[0102] In this connection, when the operator designates a date by thecursor 37, the information terminal 12 b displays onto the displaydevice the map 41 that covers the registered location related to thedesignated date. At the same time, the meteorological informationrelated to that designated date may be superimposed along the roaddisplayed on the map 41.

[0103] For the superimposition of metrological information, thefollowing operations are required. First, the information terminal 12 btransmits a request for the traffic information together with the dataabout the registered location to the information source server 11. Uponthe receipt of the request and the data about the registered location,the route search unit 24 in the information source server 11 accessesthe traffic information database 20 to obtain the meteorologicalinformation, such as the weather forecast for the area around theregistered location. Then, the meteorological information for that areaon the designated date is data-transformed through the send-outinformation-organizing unit 26. The data-transformed meteorologicalinformation is transmitted from the transmit-receive unit 14 to theinformation terminal 12 b and then displayed onto the display device inthe information terminal 12 b.

[0104] In this regard, it is possible to store the meteorologicalinformation into the operator's personal file in the PIM database 21 ina manner that the registered location and the designated date areassociated with the meteorological information.

[0105] When the information terminal 12 b stores the meteorologicalinformation such as the weather forecast in its storage device, theinformation terminal 12 b alone may display the meteorologicalinformation onto the display device without transmission of the requestfor the meteorological information to the information source server 11.

[0106] Thus, once the date is designated, the traffic information or themeteorological information for the area around the registered locationassociated with the designated date may be displayed on the displaydevice. By referring to such traffic information or the meteorologicalinformation on the display device, the operator may confirm or changehis or her schedule.

[0107] According to the first embodiment, not only the designation ofthe date, but also the designation of the road can trigger a display ofthe traffic information about the road. When a certain road on the map41 is designated, the traffic information about such designated road maybe displayed on the calendar 34.

[0108] In this case, from the information terminal 12 b to theinformation source server 11 a request for the traffic information istransmitted together with the road data about the designated road. Uponthe receipt of such request and the road data, the route search unit 24in the information source server 11 accesses the traffic informationdatabase 20 in order to predict the occurrence of the traffic congestionor the traffic regulation on the designated road. This prediction isbased on the accumulated statistical congestion information or thescheduled event information as to the designated road. If it ispredicted that the designated road will suffer from traffic congestionor it is predicted that the designated road will be controlled bytraffic regulation, the date of such congestion or regulation isretrieved from the traffic information database 20. Then, the date ofcongestion or regulation is data-transformed through the send-outinformation-organizing unit 26. The data-transformed date is transmittedfrom the transmit-receive unit 14 to the information terminal 12 b anddisplayed on the display device in the information terminal 12 b.

[0109] For example, assume an autumn festival is scheduled for September28 in a certain area around a road designated by the operator and it ispredicted that the designated road will suffer from the trafficcongestion on September 28. In this case, the display of the daterectangle for September 28 in the calendar 34 changes in a certain way.The changed display tells the operator that the designated road willsuffer from the congestion on September 28. Accordingly, the operatorcan change his or her schedule if need be.

[0110] The previously-described first embodiment takes the case wherethe schedule is inputted from the information terminal 12 a andconfirmed on the information terminal 12 b, however the presentinvention is not limited to such case. In opposite manner, the schedulemay be inputted from the information terminal 12 b and confirmed on theinformation terminal 12 a. Further, both the input of the schedule andthe confirmation of the schedule may be carried out on one singleinformation terminal. Furthermore, the schedules may be inputted andconfirmed without access to the information source server 11 if thesingle information terminal comprises the POI database 18, the roaddatabase 19, the traffic information database 20, the PIM database 21,the POI retrieval unit 23, the PIM processing unit 25, thedestination-setting unit, the estimated arrival time calculating unit,and the comparing unit.

[0111] The foregoing of the first embodiment take the case where theoncoming schedules are confirmed. However, according to the firstembodiment, not only such oncoming schedules but also past schedules maybe confirmed insofar as the information stored in the PIM database 21 isnot erased. That is, the past schedules can be displayed when thespecific site point, destination point, or facility point related to thepast schedules including a drive, a trip, recreations, sports, eat-out,or sightseeing, is inputted together with its corresponding date of theschedule. According to the invention, not only the oncoming schedule butalso the past schedule can be displayed onto the display device.

[0112] Hereinafter, the flowcharts shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 will bedescribed.

[0113] First, a flowchart showing a process of file classification ofthe personal information followed by the PIM processing unit 25 isdescribed by referring to FIG. 5. In step S1, it is determined whetherthe personal information (schedule) inputted by the operator includes adate and time. If the date and time are included, operation of theflowchart jumps to step S5. If the date and time are not included,operation continues to Step S2.

[0114] Next in step S2, it is determined whether the inputted personalinformation includes a location. If the location is included, operationof the flowchart continues to step S3. If the location is not included,operation jumps to step S4.

[0115] In step S3, the inputted personal information is recognized ashaving an attribute of a registered location. In step S4, the inputtedpersonal information is recognized as having an attribute of a memo.

[0116] Finally, in step S5, the inputted personal information isrecognized as having an attribute of a schedule.

[0117] Next, a flowchart showing a process for displaying theinformation about the period-registered location will be described byreferring to FIG. 6.

[0118] In step S11, it is determined whether the period-registeredlocation is within a 500-meter radius of the present position. If theperiod-registered location is not within a 500-meter radius of thepresent position, the operation of the flowchart continues to loopthrough step S11. Once the period-registered location is within a500-meter radius of the present position, operation continues to stepS12.

[0119] In step S12, it is determined whether the date indicated by thepresent date and time 31 comes within a time period of the schedule. Ifthe present date and time 31 comes within the time period of theschedule, operation of the flowchart continues to step S13. If the datedoes not come within the period of the schedule, the operationterminates.

[0120] Next, in step S13, the fact that the present date and time 31comes within the time period of the schedule is displayed on the displaydevice. Operation of the flowchart continues to step S14.

[0121] In step S14, it is determined whether the operator wishes tovisit the period-registered location. If the operator wishes to visitthe period-registered location, operation of the flowchart continues tostep S15. If the operator does not wish to visit the period-registeredlocation, the operation is terminated.

[0122] Finally in step S15, a route search is begun and route guidanceis provided.

[0123] Thus, according to the first embodiment, the operator inputs hisor her schedule, such as a work, study, hobbies, sports, dining,sightseeing, shopping, and so on in a manner that a specific site point,a destination point, or a facility point is associated with a specificperiod of time. Thereby, the point can be displayed as aperiod-registered location onto the map 41 when the point is within thespecified range with reference to the present position. Additionally,the period of the schedule relating to the period-registered locationmay be displayed onto the calendar 34.

[0124] The calendar 34 tells the operator that he or she is scheduled tovisit the period-registered location shown on the map 41 within the timeperiod of the schedule displayed on the calendar 34. Thereby, even ifthe operator registers a rough schedule that has a certain range indate, the operator can be reminded of that rough schedule whenever he orshe comes within the specified range of the period-registered locationduring the time period of the registered rough schedule. This helps theoperator to keep track of his or her oncoming rough schedules.

[0125] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the personalinformation (schedule) having already been input or registered may beedited by carrying out the same operations as performed in inputting newpersonal information. That is, there is no need to invoke aschedule-edit view or a memo-edit view. Further, when the personalinformation is edited and an attribute of the personal information ischanged, the system automatically allocates the edited personalinformation to the file corresponding thereto. Thus, the operator caneasily edit personal information that has already been registered.

[0126] Additionally, according to the first embodiment, when theoperator designates a date, a route to the period-registered locationmay be searched and displayed. The predicted traffic information or thepredicted meteorological information as to the area around suchperiod-registered location on a date of the registered schedule can alsobe displayed. Therefore, upon the designation of the date, the trafficinformation or the meteorological information as to the area around theregistered location on the date of the schedule may be displayed ontothe display device. Thereby, the operator can refer to the trafficinformation and the meteorological information and confirm or change hisor her schedule.

[0127] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, both the calendar34 and the map 41 displayed in the information terminal 12 b may use theschedule i.e., personal information that is inputted from theinformation terminal 12 a. This means that the schedule having alreadybeen inputted from the information terminal 12 a (e.g., a personalcomputer, an electronic personal organizer, or a portable telephone) maybe directly used as well as displayed onto both of the calendar 34 andthe map 41 in the information terminal 12 b (e.g., a navigationapparatus). That is, the date or the destination of the schedule can beinputted without using information terminal 12 b (e.g., the navigationapparatus).

[0128] Hereinafter, a second embodiment according to the invention willbe described referring to the following figures. For convenience ofexplanation, the same compositions and operations according to the firstembodiment are not described.

[0129]FIG. 7 shows a first exemplary screen view displayed on theinformation terminal according to a second embodiment of the invention.FIG. 8 shows a second exemplary screen view displayed on the informationterminal according to the second embodiment of the invention. FIG. 9shows a third exemplary screen view displayed on the informationterminal according to the second embodiment of the invention.

[0130] Here, the description takes a case where the system reminds theoperator of the schedule before the date of that schedule comes.

[0131] First, the operator operates the information terminal 12 a toinput his or her personal information, for example, a schedule for anext month. Here, the schedule may relate to, for example, work, study,hobbies, a drive, a trip, recreations, sports, dining, or sightseeing.The schedule is made so that a specific site, a destination, a locationof a facility, or an operator's activity done at the destination isassociated with a date of the schedule.

[0132] Then, the operator sets the system so as to be reminded of theinputted schedule before the date of the schedule comes. In this regard,the operator can preset the timing of the reminder. In the secondembodiment, the reminder is given to the operator whenever he or sheturns on the information terminal 12 b before the date of the schedule.

[0133] When the operator turns on the information terminal 12 b, the mappanel 40 is displayed on the display device by means of the displaycontrol unit in the information terminal 12 b, as shown in FIG. 7. Ifthe information terminal 12 b is an on-board navigation apparatus for avehicle, the information terminal 12 b is automatically turned on whenthe vehicle engine is started. When the navigation apparatus is turnedon, a schedule reminder message 46 appears on the map 41 that depictsthe area around the present position. The schedule reminder message 46includes a summary of the schedule having already been input.

[0134] When the cursor 37 is clicked on the schedule reminder message46, the display control device in information terminal 12 b allows theschedule screen 50 that details the schedule reminder message 46 toappear onto the display device as shown in FIG. 8. The screen 50 has thereminder-timing box 51. In the present second embodiment, this box 51tells the timing to remind the operator of his/her schedule. Theoperator can confirm the details of own schedule on the screen 50.

[0135] It is desirable that the reminder timing be defined by theoperator. The reminder timing can be set on a daily basis, for example,“Remind me of a schedule one day or two days before the date of thatschedule.” Alternatively, the reminder timing may be set on a morespecific time interval, for example, “Remind me of a schedule on theevening of the day before the date of that schedule,” “Remind me of aschedule during 18:00-22:00 of the day before the date of thatschedule,” or “Reminded me of a schedule on the morning of the date ofthe schedule.” This time interval may be defined, for example, as shownin FIG. 9.

[0136] Furthermore, if the information terminal 12 b is a navigationapparatus or a portable telephone that includes a present positiondetective device, the reminder timing may be set as follows: “Remind meof a schedule when I am on my way home on one day before the date ofthat schedule” or “Remind me of a schedule when I am on my way to myoffice on the date of the schedule.” Assume, for example, that theoperator sets the reminder timing as follows: “Remind me of a schedulewhen I am on my way home on one day before the date of the schedule.” Insuch case, on the day before the date of the schedule, the operator isreminded of the registered schedule on his or her way home when theinformation terminal 12 b enters the specified area at a certaindistance from his or her home (for example, the area within a 500-meterradius of his or her home). Still further, assume the operator sets thereminder timing as follows: “Remind me of a schedule when I am on my wayto my office on the date of that schedule.” In such case, on the verydate of the schedule the operator is reminded of the schedule on his orher way to the office when the information terminal 12 b enters thespecified area at a certain distance from his or her office (forexample, the area within a 500-meter radius of his or her office). Inother circumstances, the reminder timing may be based exclusively on alocation and not on the date of the schedule nor a time interval. Forexample, a railway station near the operator's home, an operator'sfavorite department store, or a park can be a trigger for the reminder.Once a location is specified, the system may remind the operator oftoday's schedule or tomorrow's schedule whenever the informationterminal 12 b enters an area defined by a certain distance from thespecified location.

[0137] According to the second embodiment, the schedule reminder messagemay be given to the operator visually on the display device, or may begiven audibly through voices, music, or chimes. For example, take a casewhere the system is set so that the operator can be reminded of theschedule when he or she is on his or her way home on the evening of oneday before the scheduled date. In such case, the operator may bereminded of the schedule such as “Meeting from A.M. XX:XX at XX companytomorrow” with a human voice as if the operator had a secretary. It ispreferable that the system be designed to allow the operator to selectfrom at least a male voice or a female voice. Further, it is desirablethat the system be designed to allow the operator to set a voice ofsomeone in his or her family, a voice of a friend, a voice of his or herfavorite actor or actress, or a voice of his or her favorite singer.

[0138] Advantageously, the schedule reminder message may beautomatically switched between the visual reminder and the acousticreminder according to the time interval. If the time intervals are setas shown in FIG. 9, the operator may be reminded of the today's scheduleaudibly early in the morning while reminded of the tomorrow's schedulevisually. In the morning and daytime, the operator is reminded of thetoday's schedule audibly or visually while reminded of the tomorrow'sschedule visually; in the evening and at midnight, the operator may bereminded of both the today's schedule and the tomorrow's schedulevisually.

[0139] Further, the schedule reminder message may be externallytransmitted from outside the information terminal 12 a. For example,assume where the information terminal 12 a is, for example, a portabletelephone, a pocket telephone for PHS (Personal Handy Phone system), amobile information terminal, or a personal digital assistant, each ofwhich is always carried by the operator. Otherwise, assume theinformation terminal 12 a is a home-use or office-use personal computerin all-day-long service. In such cases, the operator may be reminded ofthe schedule via a display device or a speaker, each of which may beincluded in the information terminal 12 a.

[0140] Furthermore, the schedule may be someone else's schedule beingexternally transmitted from another person. The other person's schedule,transmitted from outside, may be registered and notified to the userbefore the date of the other person's schedule comes. In this case, thenames of the other people must have been preliminarily registered in theinformation display system and accordingly ID numbers must berespectively issued to them. Generally, such other people may befriends, acquaintances, or family members of the operator. Usually, itis preferable that the other people are registered in the operator'spersonal file in the PIM database 21. Further, it is desirable that theother people are registered in the name of “Friend” as a sender orrecipient on the other end of the communication. However, this “Friend”registration is optional.

[0141] Hereinafter, the “Friend” registration will be described indetail. First, someone on the other end of the communication sends hisor her own schedule to the operator from his or her information terminal12 a, 12 b to the information source server 11 via the network 27. Here,suppose that the schedule includes a date and time as well as a locationfor, for example, a business meeting, a banquet, a party, a date, or anappointment. If such schedule is transmitted with a name of sender to beshown in the sender name box, the system recognizes the transmittedschedule as “Friend Link” and stores it into a friend link file. Here,“Friend Link” means personal information (schedule) transmitted to theoperator from another person. The friend link file is contained in thePIM database 21 in a manner that each friend link file is associatedwith each personal file. In this manner, the operator can confirm notonly their own schedule but also a schedule transmitted from someoneelse, e.g., friends, acquaintances, or family members. If the otherperson's schedule includes the business meeting, the banquet, the party,the date, or the appointment with which the operator is involved, suchschedule may be copied into the operator's personal file.

[0142] That is, the other person's schedule can be stored as theoperator's schedule into the personal file. Thereby, the operator may bereminded of the other person's schedule before the date of that otherperson's schedule comes. For his or her own schedule, the operator maycopy and use the other person's schedule in its entirety. Thereby, theoperator can save himself or herself the work of independently inputtingthe schedule.

[0143] As understood from the second embodiment according to theinvention, the preliminarily registration of the schedule makesaudibleor visual schedule reminders possible in advance, and thereby theoperator may be reminded of the registered schedule before the date ofthe schedule comes.

[0144] According to the second embodiment, the timing of the schedulereminder is determined by the operator. For the confirmation of theschedule in advance, the operator may set the reminder timing accordingto his or her most convenient conditions. Further advantageously, thereminder message style may be selectable from either a visual type or anaudible type. This allows the operator to be reminded of the schedulethe most desirable way.

[0145] Thus, according to the second embodiment, the operator can alwayskeep track of the registered upcoming schedules.

[0146] As many different embodiments of the invention may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it is to beunderstood that the present invention is not limited to thepreviously-described embodiments.

[0147] It should be appreciated that each list contained in the detaileddescription of preferred embodiments is non-exclusive and is intended toencompass any now known or later developed members of the classrepresented by that list.

[0148] Furthermore, while the present disclosure describes preferredembodiments for use to use in Japan, it will be readily apparent to onehaving ordinary skill in the art that the invention is easily adaptablefor use in other countries.

[0149] As many different embodiments of the present invention may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it is to beunderstood that the present invention is not limited to the aforesaidembodiments.

[0150] Industrial Applicability

[0151] The present invention is applicable to any information displaysystems.

1. An information display system, comprising: (a) a map informationstorage in which map information is stored; (b) an input device fromwhich a schedule is inputted; (c) a schedule storage in which theschedule is stored; (d) a display device on which a map is displayed;and (e) a display control device by which a schedule reminder message isdisplayed on the map at a specified time.
 2. The information displaysystem according to claim 1, comprising: (a) a server in which the mapinformation storage, the schedule storage, and a transmit-receive unitare included; (b) a first information terminal in which the input deviceand a transmit-receive unit are included; and (c) a second informationterminal in which the display device, the display control device, and atransmit-receive unit are included.
 3. The information display systemaccording to claim 1, comprising: (a) a server in which the mapinformation storage, the schedule storage, and a transmit-receive unitare included; and (b) an information terminal in which the input device,the display device, the display control device, and a transmit-receiveunit are included.
 4. The information display system according to anyone of claims 1-3, wherein the specified time at which the schedulereminder message is displayed on the map comes within a period of theschedule.
 5. The information display system according to claim 4,wherein the display device displays a calendar on which the period ofthe schedule is displayed by means of the display control device.
 6. Theinformation display system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein a locationof the schedule is displayed on the map by means of the display controldevice.
 7. The information display system according to claim 6, whereina route to the location of the schedule is displayed on the map by meansof the display control device.
 8. The information display systemaccording to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the specified time at whichthe schedule reminder message is displayed on the map comes before adate and time of the schedule.
 9. The information display systemaccording to claim 8, wherein the specified time at which the schedulereminder message is displayed on the map is the moment when a presentposition of an operator's vehicle arrives at a specified location. 10.The information display system according to claim 8 or 9, wherein theschedule reminder message may be given acoustically or visually.